Military spending left few resources left for other vital activities.
Emperors were forced to raise [[#|taxes]] frequently to keep paying and supplying the military.
The romans had to supply and spend for the military constantly since they were always holding off attacks from the barbarians
The spending frustrated many of rome, making them no longer willing to help defend the state.\
Military [[#|expenditures]] increased by 40% in the late empire.
Legionary's pay per annum HS1200 (HS = sesterces)
Legionary's [[#|bonus]] on discharge HS12,000
Soldiers in Ancient Rome
Soldiering was one of the best ways a Roman male could provide for his family. The base wage was low, not enough to live on. Four times a year, a soldier received a “Donative” greater than his annual base pay. Additionally, soldiers received an annual “Annona” subsidy for grain purchases. The best soldiers hoped to be recruited to the Praetorian Guard, the soldiers who guarded the Emperor. These soldiers were paid roughly 3 times the base wage of the average soldier, and likely enjoyed many additional privileges as well.
Soldiers had high expenses in their profession, but they still came out much better than the average citizen even after expenses. The soldiers were expected to pay for much of their own equipment, rations, and clothing. They even had to pay part of the cost of burial for their fallen from their unit.
Soldiers’ Pay: (in denarii)
average Roman soldier,annually .........................................................................1800
polisher, for a sword ..........................................................................................25
for a helmet ................................................................................................25
for an axe.....................................................................................................6
for a double axe ...........................................................................................8
for a sword scabbard........ 100
TODAY’S PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Since 2001, the base defense budget for the U.S. has gone up from $ 287 billion to $530 billion before even taking into account the primary costs of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. the U.S. pays more in defense than the next 17 nations combined. SOLUTION: The Pentagon has been ordered to cut it's projected spending by $450 billion this decade, and, if sequestrian happens, the cuts could total $1 trillion. Even a cut this size would only amount to 15%, which would leave plenty of money left for a strong, dominant military. This would even be far less than other past cuts, such as Eisenhower, Reagan, Clinton, and H.W. Bush.
The global military expenditure has risen 50% from 2001. Possible solution: If sequestrian occurs, there will be $1.2 trillion in cuts for discretionary spending, with $600 billion coming from national defense.
QUESTIONS I STILL HAVE
Is this 15% cut too much? Too little? Explain why.
Is the cut of military spending for the U.S. even necessary? Why?
Should Rome had provided their soldiers of all their materials? Was their a good reason not to? Explain.
What are examples of what Rome couldv'e done to cut military and war expenses? Are these pernament solutions?
Military expenditures went up by 40% in the late empire. Was this too big of a spike?
SOURES CITED ON FINAL PROJECT
Dr. Andrew Goldman Visit My Website Associate Professor of History Gonzaga University 502 E. Boone Ave. AD Box 35 Spokane, WA 99258-0035
Hello. My name is Sean Schaeffer and I am a seventh grader at Nagel Middle School in Cincinnati, OH. I am currently working on a project to try to help solve the problems of ancient Rome and save it from it's demise. The problem I am trying to fix is the high costs of military and wars. I know that you are an expert with military budget and spending in today's world. If you could, I would greatly appreciate if you could answer questions I have in your topic. Thank you for any help you may have.
1. I have heard that the Pentagon has been ordered to cut it's spending by $450 billion this decade, and, if sequestrian occurs, the cuts could total $1 trillion. Even a cut this size would be 15%, leaving plenty money left for a strong military. Would a 15% cut be enough, too much, or just right? Explain.
2. In ancient Rome, military expenditures increased by 40% in the late empire. Is this, in today's terms, entirely too big of a spike? What would be a more reasonable number?
3. Is any cut to the U.S. military budget even necessary? Please explain why.
- Military spending left few resources left for other vital activities.
- Emperors were forced to raise [[#|taxes]] frequently to keep paying and supplying the military.
- The romans had to supply and spend for the military constantly since they were always holding off attacks from the barbarians
- The spending frustrated many of rome, making them no longer willing to help defend the state.\
- Military [[#|expenditures]] increased by 40% in the late empire.
- Legionary's pay per annum HS1200 (HS = sesterces)
- Legionary's [[#|bonus]] on discharge HS12,000
- Soldiers in Ancient Rome
- Soldiering was one of the best ways a Roman male could provide for his family. The base wage was low, not enough to live on. Four times a year, a soldier received a “Donative” greater than his annual base pay. Additionally, soldiers received an annual “Annona” subsidy for grain purchases. The best soldiers hoped to be recruited to the Praetorian Guard, the soldiers who guarded the Emperor. These soldiers were paid roughly 3 times the base wage of the average soldier, and likely enjoyed many additional privileges as well.
- Soldiers had high expenses in their profession, but they still came out much better than the average citizen even after expenses. The soldiers were expected to pay for much of their own equipment, rations, and clothing. They even had to pay part of the cost of burial for their fallen from their unit.
- Soldiers’ Pay: (in denarii)
- average Roman soldier,annually .........................................................................1800
- Praetorian Guard, annually ................................................................................5500
- annual grain annona (1 per year) .........................................................................600
- donative (4 per year) .........................................................................................2500
- Additionally, every soldier received a grain allotment of
- 30 modii of wheat per year that would be worth 3000
- Total Annual Pay for an average Roman Soldier ..................................................15,400
- For a Praetorian Guard ......................................................................................19,100
- Compare that to a general laborer working 305 days a year 7625
- Soldiers’ Costs:
- boots, without hobnails ......................................................................................100
- shoes, soldiers ...................................................................................................75
- saddle ..............................................................................................................500
- polisher, for a sword ..........................................................................................25
- for a helmet ................................................................................................25
- for an axe.....................................................................................................6
- for a double axe ...........................................................................................8
- for a sword scabbard........ 100
TODAY’S PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONSSOURES CITED ON FINAL PROJECT
Dr. Andrew Goldman
Associate Professor of History
Gonzaga University
502 E. Boone Ave.
AD Box 35
Spokane, WA 99258-0035
Phone: (509) 313-6691
mailto:goldman@gonzaga.edu
John [[#|Mueller]]
Professor and Woody Hayes Chair of National Security [[#|Studies]]
Mershon Center for International Security [[#|Studies]] and Department of Political Science
Ohio State [[#|University]]
Columbus, Ohio 43201, United States
[[#|phone]]: +1 614 2476007 email: bbbb@osu.edu
EMAIL TO MR. MUELLER
Hello. My name is Sean Schaeffer and I am a seventh grader at Nagel Middle School in Cincinnati, OH. I am currently working on a project to try to help solve the problems of ancient Rome and save it from it's demise. The problem I am trying to fix is the high costs of military and wars. I know that you are an expert with military budget and spending in today's world. If you could, I would greatly appreciate if you could answer questions I have in your topic. Thank you for any help you may have.
1. I have heard that the Pentagon has been ordered to cut it's spending by $450 billion this decade, and, if sequestrian occurs, the cuts could total $1 trillion. Even a cut this size would be 15%, leaving plenty money left for a strong military. Would a 15% cut be enough, too much, or just right? Explain.
2. In ancient Rome, military expenditures increased by 40% in the late empire. Is this, in today's terms, entirely too big of a spike? What would be a more reasonable number?
3. Is any cut to the U.S. military budget even necessary? Please explain why.
Again, thank you for all of your time and effort.
Sincerely,
Sean Schaeffer
RESPONSE FROM MR. MUELLER
Dear Sean: You may be interested in this:
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-skeptics/embracing-threatlessness-reassessing-military-spending-6436
Cheers, John Mueller
FINAL PROJECT